I just had an amazing weekend. Mountain Hardwear sent me to Salt Lake City to participate in the HERA Climb For Life Event. It is an amazing organization that raises money for ovarian cancer research through climbing festivals. Sean Patrick, the founder and “grand pooh-bah” as she calls herself , has an energy that sucks us all in. I cannot help but believe in the mission to educate women, help us advocate for our own health, and to provide funding to scientists.
She asked me to give a ten minute presentation about my lung surgery and ‘overcoming adversity.’ I immediately said yes, but was also immediately overwhelmed- how can I presume to present my story to this group of people who have lived through so much more or worse than I have and actually inspire? I decided just to be myself as there was nothing else to do. I showed some slides and elaborated on how I could not believe that I, someone who was so used to being strong and healthy, could have a serious illness. And about how climbing helped pull me back after my surgery. I got an amazing response. It felt really good to just be open and to put myself out there. And to realize that people don’t bite.
We did some great climbing- I met some amazing people. Thank you to everyone who participated and volunteered. Go HERA!